Ninian Sanderson
Encyclopedia
Ninian Sanderson was a car dealer, sports car racing
driver, and winner of the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
.
In common with many drivers of his era, Sanderson cut his racing teeth in the highly competitive 500cc Formula 3 class in the early 1950s. He is best known for winning the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
for the Ecurie Ecosse
team, together with Ron Flockhart in an ex-works Jaguar D-Type
. The following year Sanderson again competed for Ecurie Ecosse, finishing second with co-driver John "Jock" Lawrence
, only beaten by the other Ecurie Ecosse D-Type driven by Flockhart and Ivor Bueb
.
Although reputedly not the easiest of men to get along with, Ninian Sanderson was well known in racing circles for his lively sense of humour. Fond of practical jokes he was not averse to putting firecrackers up exhaust pipes and ribbing members of the public with his race-bred black humour.http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-5085.html The contrast in personalities within the Ecurie Ecosse team was stark; down-to-Earth, Glaswegian Sanderson, and refined, Edinburgh-born Flockhart were "like chalk and cheese"http://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/ecurie_ecosse.htm.
He died of cancer in 1985.
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
driver, and winner of the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 24th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 28 and 29 1956.Following the events of 1955, the front stretch and pit lane were redesigned in order to enhance driver and spectator safety...
.
In common with many drivers of his era, Sanderson cut his racing teeth in the highly competitive 500cc Formula 3 class in the early 1950s. He is best known for winning the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 24th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 28 and 29 1956.Following the events of 1955, the front stretch and pit lane were redesigned in order to enhance driver and spectator safety...
for the Ecurie Ecosse
Ecurie Ecosse
Ecurie Ecosse was a motor racing team from Scotland. The team was founded in 1952 by Edinburgh businessman and racing driver David Murray and mechanic Wilkie Wilkinson, its most notable achievement was winning both the 1956 and 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team also raced in three Formula One races...
team, together with Ron Flockhart in an ex-works Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar D-type
The Jaguar D-Type, like its predecessor the C-Type, was a factory-built race car. Although it shared the basic straight-6 XK engine design with the C-Type, the majority of the car was radically different...
. The following year Sanderson again competed for Ecurie Ecosse, finishing second with co-driver John "Jock" Lawrence
John Lawrence
John Lawrence may refer to:* John Lawrence , English illustrator and wood engraver* John Lawrence * John Lawrence , Irish landowner, owner of Ballymore Castle* John Lawrence a.k.a...
, only beaten by the other Ecurie Ecosse D-Type driven by Flockhart and Ivor Bueb
Ivor Bueb
Ivor Léon John Bueb was a sports car racing and Formula One driver from England....
.
Although reputedly not the easiest of men to get along with, Ninian Sanderson was well known in racing circles for his lively sense of humour. Fond of practical jokes he was not averse to putting firecrackers up exhaust pipes and ribbing members of the public with his race-bred black humour.http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-5085.html The contrast in personalities within the Ecurie Ecosse team was stark; down-to-Earth, Glaswegian Sanderson, and refined, Edinburgh-born Flockhart were "like chalk and cheese"http://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/ecurie_ecosse.htm.
He died of cancer in 1985.